Matt Millar

Born in Ireland in 1929, Matt Millar and his wife Jean have been residents of Whitby since 1953. He became involved in the local lacrosse and hockey scenes through his children (David, Brian, Mark, and Jacqueline).

Elected to the Whitby Minor Lacrosse Board in 1965, Matt was initially involved in coaching House League teams as well as various Board activities. In 1968, a decision was made to merge the midget lacrosse teams from the Whitby Minor and Garrard Road Minor Lacrosse Associations. Along with Jim Brady and Vic Sheffield from the Garrard Road Association and Les Reed from Whitby Minor, Matt was chosen to guide that team, which went on to be the All-Ontario Finalists that year.

In 1969, a public meeting was held to create a Junior B franchise in the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Matt was elected President of the franchise. To support the team financially, Matt was able to obtain sponsorship from Claire Rich and Harold Bonnetta of the B&R Transport Company, which sponsored the team for a number of years. The team was the Ontario Central Division Junior B Finalists in 1969, their first year of operation.

In 1970, the team won the right to represent Ontario at the Canadian Junior B Championship in Halifax. With financial support that Matt sought from the Town Council helping to pay the travel expenses, the team ended up winning the Canadian Championship.

The team won the Ontario Championship in 1972, were the 1973 Ontario Finalists and won another Canadian Championship in 1974.

Matt Millar served as President of the B&R Transporters Junior B Lacrosse Club from 1969 to 1972, and continued as a Director for a number of subsequent years. He was also part of the committee that successfully applied for a Junior A Lacrosse franchise in 1975.

In 1976, Matt was honoured with a ‘Life Membership’ in the Whitby Junior Lacrosse Club. The “Matt Millar Trophy” is awarded by the Club to the Rookie of the Year.